Who we are
Sewing for Refuge was born from a long-standing commitment to ethical fashion, global manufacturing, and the economic empowerment of women.
In 2017, founder Naika Colas applied for the Tommy Hilfiger Social Innovation Challenge with a vision to build a manufacturing facility in Haiti—one that would employ women who already knew how to sew while providing education in business, fashion design, and sustainable production. The project advanced to the second round of the competition but did not ultimately receive funding.
Despite this, the vision remained.
As political instability and social unrest in Haiti intensified, it became clear that this work—supporting skilled garment workers, needed to take shape closer to home.
Today, Sewing for Refuge operates in New York City, responding directly to the realities faced by immigrant and refugee women navigating displacement, labor precarity, and barriers to stable employment.
FROM RESEARCH TO REAL-WORLD IMPACT
As an Assistant Professor of Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design, Naika leveraged academic research funding to launch a first-of-its-kind Garment Worker Career Fair, in collaboration with the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition—an organization where she served first as a board member and now as Board Chair.
Through partnerships with:
The New York State Department of Labor
Catholic Charities
The Haitian Embassy
Sewing for Refuge brought together experienced garment workers—many of whom had been excluded from formal fashion industry pipelines—and connected them directly with fashion brands and institutions.
These efforts resulted in tangible placements, including roles with Diotima (2024) and Parsons School of Design, demonstrating the demand for skilled labor when access and advocacy are present.
Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Sewing for Refuge is currently conducting sewing trials with participating garment workers, preparing them for contractual, small-batch production opportunities with fashion brands. These trials assess skills, production capacity, and fit, ensuring workers are placed in roles that respect their expertise and time.
At the same time, the organization is expanding Know Your Rights trainings, equipping garment workers with essential knowledge around labor protections, wages, and workplace safety.
We are actively seeking funding to scale these efforts—amplifying resources, deepening partnerships, and building a sustainable ecosystem where garment workers can thrive.
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